Month: August 2015

Categories
Lifestyle

First Of Its Kind Chemical-Free Pool Makes A Splash

Minnesota might not be the first place to come to mind when you hear the words sustainability or environmentalism. However, the Land of 10,000 Lakes recently completed an incredible green initiative. 

Webber pool in northern Minneapolis is the first naturally filtered pool in the country open to the public. The pool doesn’t use chemicals such as chlorine to cleanse the water. Instead, the pool is filtered and cleansed with a piping filtration system and a “regeneration basin.” Every 12 hours the water in the pool (around 500,000 gallons) slowly drains in and out of the basin. It utilizes more than 7,000 aquatic plants, gravel, and limestone. 

The plants consume bacteria and nutrients in the water, while anything remaining sticks to the gravel. It’s a rather ingenious, and natural, approach to creating a hygienic pool. A cleaning crew and a vacuum system help to keep the surface of the pool clean, as well. The pool itself consists of 21,000 square feet of swimming space and features shallow and deep ends, a wading pool, diving area, and lap area. 

Since the pool relies on natural processes for filtration, the water looks more akin to to a lake or pond than the crystal clear pools to which most Americans are accustomed. It can take some getting used to for some swimmers. The benefits are probably worth it, though. Taking chlorine out of the equation eliminates many of the irritating side effects of a traditional pool such as red eyes, dry hair and skin, and bleached swimsuits.

Pools like Webber have been popular in Europe for some time. The first natural pools were built in Austria and Germany in the 1980s. Currently, there are 20,000 natural pools in Europe, 100 of which are public pools in Germany. In the U.S., natural pools have been mostly reserved for a handful of well-off private citizens. Opening natural pools to the public has been difficult due to a number of state-mandated regulations on the use of chemicals to treat bacteria. 

The Webber project certainly faced its share of obstacles.

The pool was supposed to open in 2013, but construction delays, equipment failure, unexpected wildlife migrations, and other issues pushed the completion date to 2015. There have been financial issues as well. When the project started the pool was estimated to cost around $4 million. However, it was completed for more than $6 million. 

Jayne Miller, superintendent of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, said sometimes you have to pay a price for innovation. 

She told Upworthy, “You do something new and innovative like this, there are risks. … But we’re getting a ton of coverage on this nationally, and a lot of people are paying attention. I suspect this will be the beginning of many more natural pools in the U.S.”

With ideas like this, it’s easy to see why Minneapolis and St. Paul have the two top-ranked park systems in the country.

Hopefully, this ground-breaking project will be an example to other states and municipalities around the country! 

Categories
Lifestyle

Are Activity Trackers Worth It?

It seems like everyone uses an activity tracker these days. And since everyone seems to want them, everyone is making them. FitBit, Jawbone, Nike, Garmin, Withings, Moov, Apple, and many others are pumping out the newest version of their own activity tracker in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Even Swarovski has a blinged-out tracker called the Swarovski Shine, complete with a variety of interchangeable pieces of jewelry to hide the device in. I just finished wiping the drool off my computer after discovering their amazing collection for the first time myself.
While I’ve only been using activity trackers for the last couple of years, they’ve been around for a long time. The first activity tracker came out way before any of us ever heard of them. Believe it or not, Leonardo da Vinci envisioned the first pedometer for military use. Who knew? In 1780, the pedometer was made a reality by a guy I’ve never heard of (Abraham-Louis Perrelet of Switzerland) and later introduced to the United States by someone I actually have heard of (Thomas Jefferson).
Nearly 200 years later in 1965, a pedometer called Manpo-kei (meaning 10,000 steps meter in Japanese) was manufactured and said to be the world’s first device to measure steps. It took another 20 years of research to prove that 10,000 steps a day was the proper balance of caloric intake and activity to maintain a healthy body. However, it still didn’t really take off until Stanford University researchers shared results from 26 different studies showing pedometer users were more active.
Why the history lesson? Honestly, because the devices we take for granted took hundreds of years to develop–and they’ve continued to evolve over the last eight years or so, going from a cheesy plastic clip-on step counter you get free at health fairs to a pricey (and pretty) wearable wristband. It’s an amazing device, and now we can all have one. Thank you, Leonardo da Vinci!
But does wearing this fancy-shmancy computerized bracelet really improve your fitness?

How It Works

I’ve had the privilege of testing a variety of activity trackers over the last couple of years. While I couldn’t tell you how the actual electronics work, I can explain what it does (or is supposed to do).
The basic idea behind an activity tracker is to make you more aware of your activity (or lack thereof). Most devices monitor basic activity like steps taken, approximate calories burned, and quality of sleep, which then syncs with your smartphone or computer. Some devices allow you to track more information, like caloric intake, heart rate, stairs climbed, and distance traveled. Some models offer features like an alarm clock or an alert when you’ve been too sedentary.

Fit Or Flop?

The million-dollar question is does wearing an activity tracker make you more fit? Well, wearing the bracelet obviously doesn’t magically make you lose body fat or improve your blood pressure, but it does seem to have an interesting effect on the user. What type of effect depends on the person wearing the tracker.
First up is the curious user. This person has bought every fitness device on QVC in hopes of getting fit. They know they need to get healthy, and buying next best thing seems to be a good plan. They may not actually intend to increase their activity, but buying a new gadget like the fitness bracelet always makes them feel healthier (and they may be in for a shock when they see just how inactive they really are).
Next is the competitor. Competitive people treat the bracelet like it’s an opponent, and their whole mission is to beat the bracelet. I guess I would fall into this category: I have been known to bang out 100 jumping jacks bare naked in the bathroom before bed because I hadn’t quite made my daily goal. This person is also devastated when they realize their tracker died in the middle of their five-mile run. Yes, the tracker can be quite addictive to some–including me.
Then there is the gadget fanatic. My dad is this guy. Oh, who am I kidding? This is me too! The gadget fanatic just has to have the latest electronic toy, even if they are not interested in exercising. The great thing about the gadget fanatic is they typically need exercise more than anyone since they are more apt to be glued to a computer most of the day. They also tend to enjoy collecting data, and the data they collect will likely result in a rude awakening when they see just how sedentary they really are.
Let’s not forget about the motivation seeker. This person is dying for motivation and help. So they get an activity tracker, hoping it will give them just the inspiration they need to get off their big fat lazy tail. Since most trackers are linked with a community of users who are able to connect with each other, this makes joining the tracker world even more appealing. Now they have the tracker–and a bunch of people–to hold them accountable. Before they know it, they are seeing how active everyone is. This can lead to a little bit of guilt and shame, which may just motivate them to actually step it up–literally.
Last is the health nut. This person is all about fitness. They want all the information they need to improve their health and be their best. This person probably syncs their activity tracker with their calorie counter and their running app–and any other app that will connect with their cute little fitness bracelet. Unlike the other users, these people are less likely to be surprised with inactivity and will just enjoy the confirmation that they are on the right track.
No matter what personality type drives you to purchase one of these wearables, you can benefit from the information you receive while tracking you activity. This increases overall awareness and acts as a reminder to move more. Whether you are just curious or competitive, the information seems to have a way of getting under your skin so you move a little more than you would if you didn’t wear one.
Do they have their downside? Absolutely. They are not extremely accurate. Calories and steps vary depending on your gait, fitness level, and activity of choice. Some exercises don’t register as accurately as others, but you get a good general idea of what’s going on. Some devices still have glitches, but most companies are very good about replacing malfunctioning products.
So what is my final answer? I’d have to say activity trackers are definitely a Fit. While there are plenty of people out there wearing activity trackers who haven’t lost one pound, the fact that they’ve invested in fitness at all is a good sign and definitely a great step in the right direction.

Categories
Sweat

The Secret to Getting Tank Top Approved Arms

The hotter the summer gets, the less clothing you want to wear – and the first thing to go are sleeves. But, are your arms ready for their big reveal?

While there are a lot of body parts you can cover – the arms are not one of them if you really want to stay cool. Many women shutter at the thought of wearing a sleeveless top or strapless dress. They immediately think of sagging underarms that jiggle, and continue to wave even after you stop waving.

So how do you combat the flab? Do you do weights or cardio? Is the problem excess fat or loose muscle? Well, in my experience, there are three important factors that play a big role in getting the arms you’ve always wanted.

Attack the Fat with Full Body Cardio

If you suffer from arm flab, it’s important to understand the flab is a result of excess body fat. Since you can’t target the fat loss in only one specific area, you will need to lose body fat all over your body if you want to lose the fat on your arms.

While you can burn a lot of calories running or doing other weight bearing cardiovascular exercises, you can tone your arms and burn fat at the same time if you choose the right cardio.

Here are 10 body toning and fat burning exercises to try.

1. Power walking with hand weights

2. Elliptical with handles

3. Ergometer Rowing Machine

4. Swimming Laps (not just playing in the pool)

5. Jump Rope (Try this 10-Minute Jump Rope Workout by FitSugar)

6. Calisthenics (Give this 15-minute full body boot camp workout a whirl)

7. Kickboxing Workout (Like Beach Body’s Turbo Jam)

8. Les Mills Body Pump Class

9. Pound Fit Rocker Workout (a killer new workout using drumsticks)

10. BCx Treadz Full Body Treadmill Training

Firm Up with Resistance Exercise

Next on the list of arm-toning tricks is weight training. Whether you use your own body weight or use free weights, resistance training is the key to beautifully sculpted arms.

Below are a list of arm-shaping upper body exercises in order of hardest (heaviest) to easiest (lightest).

1. Push Ups

2. Pull Ups (or Pull Downs)

3. Shoulder Press

4. Upright Rows

5. Bent Rows

6. Tricep Dips

7. Tricep Extensions

8. Bicep Curls

9. Lateral Raises

10. Rear Delts

Uncover Your Hard Work in the Kitchen

Even if you lift weights in the gym, and burn a ton of calories on the elliptical, you may never see the results if you just replace the calories you burned in the gym with poor food choices. The final secret to defined arms is a clean low-calorie, high-protein diet.

Increasing protein will help rebuild and repair your muscle and a low calorie diet will encourage weight loss. The leaner you are, the more that new tight and tone muscle will show.

Here are 10 diet tips for faster results in the gym.

1. Count calories to learn where all your calories are coming from. Counting calories always proves to be quite an eye opener for most people. Decrease your caloric intake by 500-1000 calories a day if you want to lose weight.

2. Shop healthy. You can’t expect to eat healthy if you don’t shop healthy.

3. Eat 5-6 small snacks and meals a day to keep your metabolism revved and to prevent storing fat.

4. Prepare for success. Prep your food over the weekend so it’s easier to eat healthy during the week. If you fail to plan, you will fail to succeed.

5. Eat your carbs before you hit the weights. If you like carbs, put them to good use. Save your higher carb meals when your body needs fuel the most, like before intense resistance training.

6. Ditch the sugar. Sugar can cause all kinds of inflammatory responses. Reduce body fat and pain by reducing sugar.

7. Limit carbs at night. Carbs are a great fuel source, but you don’t need them to sleep!

8. Eat a high protein meal for dinner. Your body could use the protein as it does most of it’s muscle repair while you sleep.

9. Make treats treats. What do I mean? I mean, a treat should really be a treat, not a daily habit. Sodas, sweets and dinners out should be a special event, not a part of your daily diet regimen.

10. Never give up. Diets can be frustrating, but eating clean is a learning process. Never give up trying to succeed. You will learn something new with every attempt – and get one step closer to a leaner, healthier you with every single try.

Once you are happy with you new lean arms, you can increase your calories to maintain your new weight and keep up with your fitness training – and you’ll never have to worry about going sleeveless again!

Categories
Nosh

Study Shows It Pays To Be An Adventurous Eater

The term “foodie” has been somewhat maligned in recent years. Some feel these hipster food lovers are overly precious about food and should stop Instagramming every single meal.

You probably know people like this. Friends who shop at farmers markets and always have a restaurant recommendation. A relative who frowns when you mention McDonald’s. A co-worker with an array of special ordered chef’s knives. 

They might be on to something, though. 

According to a study conducted by the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University, those who seek out things such as sushi, lingua tacos, and tabouleh might be healthier than their more picky counterparts. The study surveyed 500 American women about their eating habits, perceptions about food, life choices, weight satisfaction, and a number of other personal characteristics. 

A questionnaire asked participants if they had tried 16 different foods uncommon in American diets such as Kimchi, seitan, polenta and beef tongue. Those that had tried nine or more of the foods were deemed neophiles, or “adventurous eaters.” The researchers found that the adventurous eaters had lower BMIs, weighed less, exercised more often and were more health conscious in general.

The co-author of the study, Dr. Brian Wansink released a statement on it saying, “These findings are important to dieters because they show that promoting adventurous eating may provide a way for people–especially women–to lose or maintain weight without feeling restricted by a strict diet.”

The study makes the connection between adventurous eating and health, but the exact cause is a bit murkier.

Some dietitians theorize that trying new foods can lead you to develop a taste for foods that are healthier and more nutritious than your typical fare. Another factor is a love for cooking. Adventurous eaters are more likely to cook at home, which can be healthier than hitting the drive-thru. They’re also more likely to have friends over for dinner and be more excited about food in general. 

There are some less positive implications from the study, though.

For one, the BMI (or body mass index) isn’t a very precise indicator of health. A mathematician, who had no background in the human body, developed it hundreds of years ago. Furthermore, it doesn’t take into account relative proportions of bone, muscle and fat. Thus, someone with high muscle mass can be classified as overweight, even if he/she is perfectly healthy.

Consequently, reporting that adventurous eaters have lower BMIs might not say as much as you would think. There might be a more uncomfortable implication hidden in the study, as well. 

Being an adventurous eater, or a foodie, requires a certain amount of resources not everyone has access to. Eating out at hip ethnic restaurants and shopping for specialty ingredients takes time and money. It’s time and money a lot of people don’t have. Residents of low-income neighborhoods don’t have nearly enough access to fresh, nutritious foods much less edgy, new eateries. It’s not complicated to see being a foodie is often possible due to a certain amount of privilege and that health is directly aided by that privilege. 

As The Telegraph’s Amy Fleming notes, “It could be money. Surely anyone with an economic advantage will be more likely to be neophilic by the study’s criteria? (I think it’d be pretty hard to find many comfortably-off folks who haven’t tried nine of the foods on the list). If you’re better educated about health and culture, well travelled, can afford exotic foods and experimental restaurants, then you’ll be a neophile for this study’s purposes.”

Those sticking points aside, a varied diet does seem to make sense in terms of health.

For example, introducing people to Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian food is a great way to show how vegetables can be packed full of flavor. It could be the first step in changing your tastes and, potentially, your cravings. That’s only the beginning. Assuming you have the means, you’re missing a whole world of interesting and healthy food if you eat the same few things each week. 

So go ahead and try something new! Your health just might depend on it.

Categories
Lifestyle

Running Strollers That Keep Up With Your Routine

Jogging strollers seem like such an unnecessary added expense when you’re first starting out with a child. They’re hard to navigate because of their bulk, are terrifyingly heavy, and don’t have all the cool gadgets that traditional strollers possess. But ladies, those fears and stories are a thing of the past. It shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise that there are now fantastic running strollers that can keep up with your daily routine, essentially replacing the traditional stroller in no time.

Why Purchase A Running Stroller?

You may be wondering to yourself why a jogging stroller is even necessary? Well, once you’ve gotten over the initial postpartum recovery you start feeling cooped up in your own home. When you step outside with your little one you may even be reminded that there’s this thing called The Sun. When you run errands it’s much easier to strap your infant to your chest or leave them in their carrier. Pretty quickly you’ll find that strollers are fairly pointless at this stage, but not running strollers. Running strollers are a fantastic way to get out of the house and be active. They give you the capability to access terrain that would ordinarily be inaccessible for a new mom. Plus, many jogging strollers have the capability where your infant carrier can snap right in!

Studies show that exercise is HUGELY beneficial to the postpartum recovery.

It can:

            – Help revive and restore muscle strength and strengthen the abdominal muscles

            – Aid in postpartum weight loss

            – Improve mood, reduce stress, and help relieve postpartum depression

            – Provide energy from increased blood flow (Better Health)

So, with all of that said, I’m sure you’re ready to jump on that jogging stroller train. Fortunately, it’s 2015 so you don’t have to worry about the price being astronomical or the jogging stroller weighing more than you!

Tips And Tricks For Finding The Perfect Fit

There are certain jogging stroller features that are vital, and then there are others that are an added bonus. It’s important to make sure your stroller has some of these features and that these features are efficient. It’s important when you’re shopping that you take them for a test drive around the store. Fold them up, place your child in them, or even roll them down the stairs (with your kid out of the stroller, obviously) to test out its sturdiness.

Jogging Stroller Must Haves

Wheels

Obviously you need wheels, but you may think a wheel is a wheel. But not so fast. For one, jogging strollers only have three wheels instead of four, and they’re much larger in diameter. Jogging stroller wheels aren’t made from tough plastic or solid rubber but are literally a bicycle tire…just on a smaller scale. <ake sure to keep your wheels properly inflated because if they start getting low this can cause back pain and other bodily ailments. Another important point is the options for your front wheel, two to be precise: fixed or swivel.

A fixed wheel is for those joggers that are more serious. It’s perfect when running or jogging over rocky terrain as it won’t veer the stroller off course, but the one downside is you have to lean the stroller on it’s back two wheels to actually turn it.

Then there is the swivel wheel, which enables you to easily turn from left to right. This is ideal for the casual runner who also plans to use their jogging stroller in grocery stores, malls, and other compact places (There are some brand of strollers now coming with the capability to lock and unlock the front wheel, providing the best of both worlds).

Personally, I prefer the swivel wheel as I like going from the park to the farmer’s market. The swivel wheel is a lot more forgiving, and there’s no way I’ll be marathon training anytime soon!

Brakes

Brakes also have options that need to be considered. For the serious joggers, there are hand brakes that will assist you in slowing down when you’re tackling a steep decline. Then for the casual runner you’ll find that the brakes are on the base of your stroller. You’ll either have a break on either wheel or a foot operated brake that prevents you from bending over.

It’s crucial that you remember to brake your stroller anytime that you’re stopping, especially if you’re leaving it unattended for even a moment. Remember, regardless of the front wheel you choose, jogging strollers are meant to glide forward easily. So even the smallest of inclines will cause your child to go rolling ahead.

Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are the crutch of a running system. You’ll find coils right behind your two rear wheels, and these are what form parts of your stroller’s suspension system. Shock absorbers absorb any of the bumps and cracks you may bounce over, preventing the stroller and your baby from getting jostled. Beware as some cheaper models of jogging strollers don’t come with any type of suspension system. So, if you’re wanting your baby’s ride to be smooth and for them to just sit back and relax double check to make sure you have those coils (Parent).

Seat

Again, this is a feature that has multiple options. There are three different aspects of the seat you want to consider: the seat cushions, reclining capability, and the seat belt. Seat cushions should obviously be plush, but you also want to make sure you can easily remove and clean them. This will be such a life saver for your time and mental health! Also, a seat that can recline will change your life big time. When those big eyes begin to get droopy just drop that seat back so they can snooze the ride away. Also starting the recline off pretty far back is your best option when you first place them in there, as they most likely will not have gained a grasp on balancing yet. And on those days where you HAVE to check out that sale, why not do it over their nap?  Lastly, your seatbelt should really be a safety harness. The most common harness is the 5-point harness, which secures the upper and lower half of your child. Ones that come with padding is just an additional bonus.

Folding / Weight

A big concern for mothers, especially those who are just getting back into fitness, is the ease of lifting and storing a jogging stroller. They’re typically bulkier, but manufacturers have created a “quick fold technology” which enables women to fold it in one quick movement. Jogging strollers used to be anywhere upwards of thirty or more pounds, but now they can be as light as twenty pounds. Ease of storing a stroller can make or break a woman’s quest to fitness (Baby Gear Lab).

The strollers that have the “quick fold technology” are genius because they’ll even balance upright, but the downfall is they’re incredibly bulky. The option for a more compact device is purchasing one where you can remove the wheels and fold it into a smaller space, perfect for storing in your car!

Canopy

It’s crucial to have a canopy that can be adjusted to different covering stages in order to protect your child from sunlight and other elements. Some jogging strollers have a plastic or mesh opening so that when your canopy is fully extended you’re able to clearly see your child.

Jogging Stroller Added Bonuses

Now that you know the nitty gritty about life with a jogging stroller, lets get to the fun part.

How many of you want to store your phone or ipod somewhere other than your arm? Well, some strollers now have a section in between the cupholders (whoa, cupholders!) where
you can easily secure a smartphone or other music device. And if you’re getting really fancy, you may even be able to hook them up to built in speakers! Now that’s VIP running for sure.

A pedometer is a handy addition, as it’ll tell you just how far you’ve traveled. And to go along with that pedometer, a wrist strap is such a life saver as it’ll keep your stroller from getting away from you on that rocky slope.

Fit For Life

So, what are you waiting for? Running strollers are the perfect choice for your first or next stroller. These hybrid city/running strollers are revolutionizing the way women and men spend their time with the kiddos. Exercise is crucial to a healthy and happy life, and having the right instruments to make this possible is key. Take a look at your local baby store to find the right fit for you!

Categories
Wellbeing

Should You Be Sleeping in the Nude for Better Health?

Do you sleep naked? Or would you — in the name of better health, of course? Because as it turns out, stripping down between the sheets is a smart move.
I’m not going to say there’s a right or wrong attire to wear to bed… but there kind of is, ladies. You might notice that sometimes, if you hit the sack in a pair panties or close-fitting bottoms, you wake up with more vaginal discharge than usual.
Your vagina is full of bacteria, primarily yeast. While this is totally normal, when you create the right environment for that yeast to multiply — a long night, a hot day, pool time, gym time, undies in materials that don’t “breathe” — your lady parts will begin to overproduce it. This can be a recipe for problems like for an infection, complete with irritation and soreness. Yuck.
According to a tidbit from Cosmo, sleeping naked is a good idea for this reason, something the fabulous Melissa Goist, MD, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center, told me was legit true. You should be “airing it out” on a pretty regular basis for the best vaginal health possible.
“Wearing panties is obviously preferred during the daytime or anytime you have pants on,” she says, of which I totally concur (um, yeah!). “But when you are in private, and can allow the vaginal area to ‘breathe,’ this helps for a healthier environment.”
Or, you know, you can go commando at other times, too. As long as you’re socially acceptable, Goist says you’ll get the same benefits giving your vag a timeout while wearing a loose-fitting skirt or dress that allows for the “no panties” option.
That said… she knows going without undies outside the bedroom won’t thrill a lot of ladies. “Some women have a normal, natural discharge, so this is more anxiety-provoking,” she says. “Thus, evening time is often most preferred.”
Going without underwear at night is the preventative tactic… but what’s the restorative move? If you’re experiencing some mild discomfort after one of those darn 85-degree-day summer runs, wash your vaginal area with a lukewarm water in the bath at night. No detergent, no soap. This simple move can help to cleanse the area — followed up by a nice, long sleep in the buff, of course.
Okay, okay. So, what if you’re just not one to sleep naked? (Ugh.) Don’t fret. I feel you, and it’s fine.
Personally, I’m just not a nude sleeper. Even in privacy, somehow I still feel exposed! But as an alternative, verified healthy and appropriate by Goist, I have a favorite nighty that’s so silky, lightweight, and luxurious that I had to buy two. It’s loose-fitting enough to give my lady parts a breather. And it feels like I’m sleeping naked without stripping all the way down.
So, to all you nude sleepers out there, keep on keepin’ on. For the rest, invest in a nighty you can’t get enough of.

Categories
Lifestyle

Organic Farming Benefits Biodiversity in Major Ways

More and more consumers are spending a little extra cash on organic foods. From ensuring that your produce isn’t doused in pesticides, to avoiding genetically modified foods, hormones, and antibiotics, health conscious consumers are choosing organic.

But according to a recent study, your health isn’t the only reason to choose organic foods. Researchers recently found that organic farming is also beneficial to the local flora and fauna.

Organic farming is good for biodiversity, according to a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B- Biological Sciences. Researchers found that organic agricultural fields have more local biodiversity in terms of wild plants, which offsets the lack of biodiversity on conventional fields. Researchers at Swansea University compared organic winter wheat fields to conventional winter wheat fields in the Charente region of France.

“Wild plants are important for birds, bees and other farmland species. Organic farming has advantages in maintaining these,” said Dr Luca Borger of the Department of Biosciences at Swansea University, reported on Global Agriculture.

Conventional herbicides and pesticides kill off local weeds, which in turn, impact the local animals that feed on them.

“Even a mixture of organic and non-organic farming in an area can help maintain this biodiversity. Even only 25% of fields being organically farmed can make a difference,” said Dr Luca Borger.

Pesticides Kill Off Biodiversity

This study proves a theory that organic enthusiasts already know. When you apply tons of pesticides to crops you do more than kill a few weeds, you impact the entire habitat. This is the problem with genetically modified crops. Roundup Ready corn, soybeans, and cotton for example are modified to be immune to Roundup so farmers can dump an onslaught of the pesticide on their crops. But by using too many pesticides, farmers poison the soil, the earth, wildlife and everything that surrounds the farm including animal habitats.

In some parts of the country, toxic chemical runoff from conventional farms is so big that dead zones are being created in bodies of water like the Gulf of Mexico. That dead zone, or low oxygen water, at times can be as big as the size of Connecticut (around 5,052 square miles). This is significant because sea life can’t survive in low oxygen water. They either have to migrate or die.

Another example is the Monarch butterfly, a species of butterfly that feeds on milkweed. As a result of the overuse of pesticides, milkweed is disappearing across the Midwest which means Monarch butterflies are disappearing too. Habitats and their built-in biodiversity work in concert, and by killing off parts of the circle of life, the cycle ceases to work. Not to mention that pesticides pollute the soil and groundwater, which further kills off biodiversity.

The Living Soil and Crop Diversity

A biodiverse landscape helps organic crops grow. For example, clover is used as a cover crop to help suppress unwanted weeds and balance nitrogen levels to create a nutritionally rich soil and help control diseases. Predatory insects are often introduced to help control other unwanted pests. Ladybugs, minute pirate bugs, and other beneficial insects add to the biodiversity. Compost and manure are also added build a rich soil.

Crop rotation is an important part of organic farming. By rotating crops year after, the soil is kept in balance by feeding it the required nutrients crops need to support and grow robust and sustainable crops.

Conventional farms on the other hand are often monoculture farms where one crop like sugar beets, wheat, or corn, you know the ones that are grown as far as the eye can see, which depletes the soil of vital nutrients year after year. This dependence on one crop can cause a monoculture farm to become even more dependent on toxic chemicals to grow their yearly crops because of their nutritionally deficient soil.

Many weekend gardeners already know that organic farming allows the environment to thrive while conventional farming, and all the pesticides that go along with it, work against the environment. Organic farming uses methods that have been used since humans started farming. It’s about keeping the soil healthy and utilizing cover crops, bugs, and natural fertilizers to promote a healthy growing environment and a healthy planet. When land is nurtured in this fashion, you can grow clean food year after year.

Categories
Nosh Nutrition x Advice

Dessert With Breakfast? Yes, Please.

Do you ever wake up in the morning and wish you could eat a cookie or a piece of cake and still lose weight? I occasionally have a craving for sweets in the morning. However, if you are trying to lose weight, the last thing you probably do is actually get out of bed and eat dessert with your healthy breakfast.
As crazy as it sounds, research out of Israel suggests this strategy might just work for weight loss. And work quite well.
Several researchers from Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University came together to study whether including dessert with breakfast would help or harm participant’s weight loss efforts. The study, which I read with great interest, was published in the March 2012 edition of the journal “Steroid.”
Over 190 people participated in the 32 week study. The participants were divided into two groups and consumed the same number of calories. Women ate 1,400 calories a day and men had 1,600 calories. The only difference between the two groups was the inclusion of a dessert item with breakfast.
The control group was given a 300 calorie low carbohydrate breakfast that had about 30 g of protein. That group had no cake with breakfast. The second group consumed a 600 calorie breakfast that averaged 60 g of carbs and 45 g of protein. Those lucky folks had a cookie, a piece of cake, or other dessert served alongside their healthy breakfast.
At first the researchers did not see much difference in the weight loss between the groups. Both groups lost an average of 33 pounds during the first half of the study, which verified to the researchers that either diet would work for weight loss. However, at the midway point, things changed.
Drastically.
By the end of the study, the dessert group lost an average of 40 pounds more than the control group. In fact, the control group began gaining weight after the midway point of the survey while the dessert group kept losing.
I found these results startling. After all, everyone knows that sugar has no nutritional value and is not good for weight loss. So why did this strategy work?
The researchers concluded that eating something sweet with breakfast served two purposes.
1) Avoided Deprivation
I am a firm believer in moderation in weight loss. While eating a perfect diet may look good on paper, the fact is that very few people can avoid dessert forever. Deprivation often backfires, which is what apparently happened with the control group in this study.
2) Suppressed Participants Appetite
Ghrelin, which is a hormone that suppresses your appetite, is usually lowest in the morning. By eating a higher calorie breakfast that included dessert, the participants felt less hungry throughout the day and had better appetite control.
The takeaway from this study is not that you should definitely eat dessert with your breakfast. The main takeaway is that what matters most in successful weight loss is your ability to follow a diet, stay within calorie limits, and feel satisfied throughout the day.
Extreme restriction never works long-term.
I found that eating the occasional dessert, sometimes in the morning, worked for me as well. There were mornings when I got up and wanted something sweet. Instead of feeling guilty for craving a brownie or a cookie, I sometimes ate it with my oatmeal or eggs. I went on with my day, making sure I adjusted my later meals for the higher calorie breakfast.
Controlling cravings and being aware of when you are likely to feel most hungry can help you lose weight and keep it off. All the better if you can have dessert with your breakfast.
It worked for me, it worked for these study participants, and it might just work for you.

Categories
Nosh Nutrition x Advice

Eat Your Way to Gorgeous With These Skin Smoothing Snacks

I’m always trying different creams and lotions to get rid of dry skin and shave five years or so off my age. All this time, all I had to do was eat better. I know what you must be thinking. Healthy food tastes horrible. Not this time. These skin smoothing snacks taste incredible and they’re easy for anyone to add to their daily routine.
So what do these snacks do for your skin? Unlike that expensive face cream you’ve been using religiously, food works from the inside. These delicious and inexpensive snacks gradually change the look and feel of your skin.
I didn’t need to be told twice. After just a few months, I could tell a major difference and so could everyone else.
Smooth With Honey
I love honey, but I love what it does for my skin even more. Sure, it’s a sugary treat, but it’s good for you. It’s natural humectant properties helps your skin stay moisturized and supple.
If you check out many organic or all natural skin products, you’ll find many of them include honey. There’s a reason for this. I try to add a spoonful of honey to my yogurt or cereal everyday. It’s simple to use and your skin looks better. What do you have to lose?
Don’t just buy any honey though. I know they all say “honey” on the label, but more processed honeys aren’t as effective. Pure and organic honey works best and even tastes better.
Anti-Aging Power With Strawberries
Strawberries are my favorite snack on this list. They not only keep my teeth whiter without using those annoying strips, but they help keep my skin looking younger and smooth. I didn’t realize how much Vitamin C strawberries contain. They actually have more per serving than oranges.
Why does your skin need Vitamin C? Simple! This powerful vitamin fights free radicals that lead to fine lines which make you look far older than you really are.
You don’t have to just eat a handful of strawberries every day. I like mixing them in smoothies, topping my ice cream or adding them to a salad. Get creative and you’ll find it’s easy to add strawberries to your diet.
Heal Skin with Citrus
Strawberries not your thing? Any citrus fruit is full of Vitamin C. I always have oranges and grapefruits on hand. They make great snacks, help boost my immune system and smooth my skin.
Citrus works in the same way as strawberries. It’s just nice to mix it up a little from time to time. After all, who wants to eat the exact same snacks day after day? Eat an orange one day and strawberry smoothie the next.
Soothe Dry Skin with Oatmeal
I’ve used oatmeal based bath soaks for years to soothe my dry skin, especially in the winter. I was never a huge oatmeal fan otherwise. One day I realized if oatmeal helped on the outside, what would it do from the inside? Turns out, it does quite a lot.
The oats in oatmeal are full of fats to lubricate your skin, proteins to strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier and starches to hold in moisture. Sure, soaking in it is still great, but have a small bowl a few times a week as a snack.
I usually mix in some fruit or honey for a double whammy. Plus, it makes it taste much better.
Beautify Skin with Colorful Veggies
When it comes to skincare, vegetables are your best friend. Color is the name of the game, especially green, red, and orange. I admit I’m guilty of skimping on my veggies. I have noticed a difference since I’ve been sneaking more in.
Colorful vegetables such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and greens provide you with Vitamin A. Trust me when I say this natural form of this anti-aging vitamin is much more powerful than anything you’ll find in supplement form.
Vitamin A works like an anti-aging machine for your skin. It’s a natural antioxidant. It improves your cell turnover rate, leading to more supple, youthful looking skin.
If you’re not too fond of veggies like me, try smoothies and shakes. The raw form is usually best, but I’ve found I eat more when carrots are cooked and seasoned.
Get Nutty For Better Skin
Nuts are probably the easiest snack to keep around on this list. You don’t have to worry about finding them in season or not. I’ve had no problem picking up a handful of almonds or walnuts as I walk through the kitchen.
Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are the best nuts for your skin. They’re full of Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. Both help fight premature aging.
You’ve probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids. I mean who hasn’t been bombarded with 20 TV ads for the latest fish oil supplement? The ads are true though! These essential fatty acids improve heart health for better circulation while reducing inflammation and dryness in your skin.
I get some omega-3s from fish, but nuts are my favorite source. Plus, you don’t end up with fish breath later.
Fish to the Rescue
How does a tuna wrap sound for a quick, skin smoothing snack? Fish, especially cold water varieties such as salmon and mackerel, contain omega-3s and omega-6s. I know we’ve been trained to think fat is bad, but fatty fish varieties are actually good for you.
I like making a salmon spread to place on crackers. It’s easy for me to take this snack with me. Keep in mind, you get some of the same benefits from nuts and flaxseeds.
Healthier Skin with Whole Grains
You might just think the whole grains trend is just a fad. I didn’t really understand what the big deal was either at first. Whole grain foods are less processed and contain more nutrients as a result.
You don’t have to scarf down loaves of whole wheat bread to benefit though. Try adding some wheat germ to your cereal, yogurt or other snack. You’ll boost your skin with a much needed dose of biotin for moisturized skin.
A good rule to remember is to think “whole.” Opt for whole wheat or whole grain based snacks. For instance, I dumped my white bread for a mackerel sandwich on whole wheat. Did it make a difference? My mirror said it did.
Start Slow For Better Results
If you’re anything like me, you want to rush off to the grocery store right now. I had this plan to make over my skin in a week by not just snacking, but filling my meals with these skin smoothing foods. I burnt out before the week was out.
Start off slow by adding in some nuts and berries this week. Try replacing your white bread next week. Doing a little at a time ensures you don’t get tired of snacking healthier.
It’s okay. Your skin still benefits. Before you know it, you’ll skip the chips and opt for a cup of citrus fruit or veggies instead. Suddenly, you’ll look in the mirror one day and notice just how much your skin is changing.

Categories
Nosh

Got (Almond) Milk?

It used to be that nothing was more wholesome than a glass of milk. Now, it seems that little is more hotly contested. More and more people are turning to almond milk out of fear of dairy, but is this really a healthy swap?

Before we launch our debate, we have to first understand what almond milk is, and how it is made. At home, I make my own almond milk with just two ingredients: almonds, and water. A small amount of almonds are blended up with a lot of water, then the mixture is strained to remove the sediment or almond “pulp.” What you are left with is still mostly water, with a hint of almond flavor and an opaque “milky” color. The almond milk you buy in the store also contains extra vitamins and minerals, thickeners, and sometimes added sugar or sugar alternatives. Still, these beverages remain mostly water.

THE PROS

There are certainly benefits to almond milk over dairy, though they stem more from the negatives of modern day dairy than with almond milk’s own inherent virtues. First and foremost, by opting for a plant-based “milk,” we can start to reap the benefits of consuming fewer animal products.

More than that, the dairy industry often employs less-than-savory practices. Large-scale dairy farms rely on corn and soy-based feeds over a cow’s natural diet of grazed grass, which adversely shifts the ratio of heart-healthy omega 3 fats compared to inflammatory omega-6 fats. This feed is often genetically modified, which comes with its own baggage of controversy. There is additional controversy over the use and abuse of growth hormones and antibiotics with dairy cows, too.

Many claim that consuming dairy is associated with increased risk of inflammation, which can set the stage for a host of conditions, including heart disease, acne, and joint paint. There is even doubt being cast on the well-accepted notion that dairy is crucial for bone health. These claims, though worth exploring, raise more questions than they do answers, and actual research to back them up can be difficult to track down.

With that laundry list of concerns, it’s no wonder so many people are looking for an alternative, but is almond milk really any better?

THE CONS

The first thing to consider when debating purchasing almond milk is whether you can palate the unsweetened versions. Though dairy milk contains naturally occurring sugars in the form of lactose, sweetened almond milks can contain even higher amounts of added sugars, which we consume more than enough of as is. The ones with stevia or splenda are no better.

Both the sweetened and unsweetened almond milks on the market, though, have other downfalls, the largest being their lack of protein. Remember how we said above that almond milk is really mostly water? Almond milk was created as a way for anyone who is vegan, lactose intolerant, or has a milk allergy to continue to enjoy foods like cereal, oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies, and any recipe that calls for milk. It wasn’t made to be a nutritional powerhouse, and it’s not.

Almond milk is also a surprisingly processed product. It takes a lot to turn crunchy almonds into smooth, creamy milk. The thickeners added to store-bought almond milks are there to prevent separation, and though they are considered safe for consumption by the FDA, some experts question this. Carageenan in particular has raised some health concerns in the past, though any ingredient with “gum” in the name suggests, in general, that the beverage is more of a processed product than a whole food.

THE BOTTOM LINE: FIT OR FLOP?

FIT: Although almond milk has its drawbacks, it can be part of a well-balanced diet. Always choose unsweetened varieties and pair them with a little protein and fat to make up for what almond milk lacks. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even try making your own for a less processed version that is far tastier than any carton sold at the store.

…BUT ALSO FLOP. A lot of the health concerns of conventional dairy can be avoided by sourcing 100% grass-fed, organic milk, ideally one from a local farm and non-homogenized, if possible. Sure, this costs more than regular milk, but so does that pricey carton of almond milk you’re buying. If you aren’t lactose intolerant, vegan, or have an actual milk allergy, there really isn’t a strong argument suggesting almond milk is any more or less healthy than a truly high-quality dairy milk.

Either way, remember that your health is not defined by any one, individual food or drink, but rather by the dietary tapestry of all of your food choices woven together.

Note: It is beyond the scope of this article to assess the environmental or ethical arguments for choosing dairy versus non-dairy milk.